Christmas and new-year revellers travelling from Rochdale to Manchester Victoria are set to be de-railed by nine days of cancelled trains.

The upheaval is part of the £400m North West Electrification scheme allowing electrified trains to be introduced from Manchester Victoria in December next year.

There will be no Northern Rail trains serving Manchester Victoria after the final service on December 24 until Thursday, January 2 when normal service resumes.

Rail bosses say they have scheduled the work for the Christmas to New Year period as it is traditionally a quieter time for rail travel - but the news has sparked fears among residents.

Castleton ward councillor Billy Sheerin said: “It is understandable when major works are to be carried out to improve the facilities and update the railway line that delays and at worst, shut downs will occur.

“There will never be a 'right time' – and nowadays many employers shut down over Christmas, including new year, which equates to a week off work. This is the obvious, and probably the most sensible time, to conduct major works.

“I expect bus services will be introduced to cover those who have season tickets – it's not the best option but one that's well-used in these circumstances.

“Just when train travel is being used to commute to work instead of the car or the slower option of bus, a long shutdown is not what is wanted.”

During the nine-day period a limited train service will run to Moston which will serve Castleton. In addition, services to and from Rochdale will start or terminate at Rochdale - with a rail replacement bus service to Manchester Victoria.

Martin Frobisher, area director for Network Rail said: “The work happening at Manchester Victoria is a key part of our plans to improve rail across Manchester and the north of England.

“There is never a good time to carry out major work and on balance, completing the work over the holiday period was the best time to complete this essential project.

“Train services are quieter at this time of year and fewer people are expected to experience changes to their travel plans compared to the alternative, which would have been to stagger the work over dozens of weekends and bank holidays.”

Full details of amended timetables and alternative travel options will be available shortly from northernrail.org and tfgm.co.uk .